What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)
The main goal of reconstruction is to provide civil rights to every man. As the states themselves never seceded, because that is illegal, our primary focus is to address the men and women who were in rebellion during the years of 1861-1865, as well as the former slaves. Our focus is on the rights of the people, not their punishment or reprimand. While we recognize that reunification is important for the rebuilding process, the institution of civil rights is vital. If we distance ourselves from the basic principle of freedom and equality for all, under any pretense, we distance ourselves from what it truly means to be an American, and lay waste to the last 100 years.
What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
Confederates who held the highest positions, such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, shall be put on trial for their respective crimes. Should they be found guilty, the federal government reserves the right to confiscate all previous land holdings. The higher ex-Confederates will be imprisoned or exiled. As for the rest of the ex-Confederates, they are free to rejoin the Union and keep their right to vote, as long as 30% of their state swears loyalty to the Union and promises to uphold the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. The Freedmen’s Bureau (originally known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Land) will also play a role in redistributing land to poor whites and freed blacks.
What should be done for the freedmen?
All land that was confiscated or abandoned during the war will be divided up and given to former slaves, primarily, and poor whites in the secondary. The lesser populated Western territories will also be offered to freedmen as an option to start fresh, however, nobody will be forced to leave their homes. The Freedmen’s Bureau will serve as the main outlet for education, and will set up “camps” of sorts in the South and West, led by Northern educators. In addition, freedmen are secured the right to citizenship and to vote.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?
The right to vote will be restored to every member of the Union, but only those who swear their loyalty to the Union, respect the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and have completed four years of schooling may hold high office. Ex-Confederates under prosecution may not vote or hold office unless they are found innocent. Ex-Confederates who held a rank of general or higher will be given the right to vote, but denied opportunity to hold high office for six years, until the third next congressional election.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
As a compromise between Abraham Lincoln’s 10% Plan and the radical republicans’ 50% Plan, we believe that 30% of a state’s population must swear loyalty to the Union and promise to uphold the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in order to be readmitted to the Union and regain full rights and representation.
How should the Southern economy be restored?
Northern entrepreneurs are encouraged to open up operations in the South. Members from Northern states who enter business with those in Southern states will be offered tax incentives. This will encourage unification between the North and South while opening up opportunities for those devastated by the war. Each state in the South will draft their own budget and economic plan for the future, as to be approved by the federal government. No new, high taxes shall be instituted on either the North or the South.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Union troops will be sent into the Southern military zones in the interest of keeping the peace. Their primary role will be to protect voting stations and to eliminate terrorist violence from organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the White League. These troops are not expected to keep the ultimate peace, but are necessary for demonstrating that the illegal actions of these terrorist groups are not to be tolerated. They should stay until 1880 or until Congress deems it safe for the freedmen, whichever comes first.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis restated)
It is imperative that the nation places its focus on Civil Rights during reconstruction. Our goal is not to restore the United States to its prewar status (dangling by a thread) but to build up a greater country, one with more extensive and widespread freedom. We must look back to the ideals that this nation was founded upon, morals highlighted in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for ALL men. We must seek to fulfill the ideal that all men are created equal.
Prepare a response to an "opposition" group. In your response you will need to point out the flaws and weaknesses and/or the strengths of their plan. The day after we present, be sure to upload your response at the bottom of their page. You will also need to be ready to challenge their plan in class, as their group presents.
What is the primary goal of reconstruction? Reunification, punishment, civil rights, other? (Thesis)
The main goal of reconstruction is to provide civil rights to every man. As the states themselves never seceded, because that is illegal, our primary focus is to address the men and women who were in rebellion during the years of 1861-1865, as well as the former slaves. Our focus is on the rights of the people, not their punishment or reprimand. While we recognize that reunification is important for the rebuilding process, the institution of civil rights is vital. If we distance ourselves from the basic principle of freedom and equality for all, under any pretense, we distance ourselves from what it truly means to be an American, and lay waste to the last 100 years.
What should be done to the ex-Confederates?
Confederates who held the highest positions, such as Jefferson Davis and Robert E. Lee, shall be put on trial for their respective crimes. Should they be found guilty, the federal government reserves the right to confiscate all previous land holdings. The higher ex-Confederates will be imprisoned or exiled. As for the rest of the ex-Confederates, they are free to rejoin the Union and keep their right to vote, as long as 30% of their state swears loyalty to the Union and promises to uphold the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments. The Freedmen’s Bureau (originally known as the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Land) will also play a role in redistributing land to poor whites and freed blacks.
What should be done for the freedmen?
All land that was confiscated or abandoned during the war will be divided up and given to former slaves, primarily, and poor whites in the secondary. The lesser populated Western territories will also be offered to freedmen as an option to start fresh, however, nobody will be forced to leave their homes. The Freedmen’s Bureau will serve as the main outlet for education, and will set up “camps” of sorts in the South and West, led by Northern educators. In addition, freedmen are secured the right to citizenship and to vote.
Who should be able to vote and hold office in the new Southern state governments?
The right to vote will be restored to every member of the Union, but only those who swear their loyalty to the Union, respect the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and have completed four years of schooling may hold high office. Ex-Confederates under prosecution may not vote or hold office unless they are found innocent. Ex-Confederates who held a rank of general or higher will be given the right to vote, but denied opportunity to hold high office for six years, until the third next congressional election.
What requirements must be met before states regain full rights and representation?
As a compromise between Abraham Lincoln’s 10% Plan and the radical republicans’ 50% Plan, we believe that 30% of a state’s population must swear loyalty to the Union and promise to uphold the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments in order to be readmitted to the Union and regain full rights and representation.
How should the Southern economy be restored?
Northern entrepreneurs are encouraged to open up operations in the South. Members from Northern states who enter business with those in Southern states will be offered tax incentives. This will encourage unification between the North and South while opening up opportunities for those devastated by the war. Each state in the South will draft their own budget and economic plan for the future, as to be approved by the federal government. No new, high taxes shall be instituted on either the North or the South.
What role should Union troops play in policing, governing, or rebuilding the South?
Union troops will be sent into the Southern military zones in the interest of keeping the peace. Their primary role will be to protect voting stations and to eliminate terrorist violence from organizations such as the Ku Klux Klan and the White League. These troops are not expected to keep the ultimate peace, but are necessary for demonstrating that the illegal actions of these terrorist groups are not to be tolerated. They should stay until 1880 or until Congress deems it safe for the freedmen, whichever comes first.
Re-state the primary goal of reconstruction. (Thesis restated)
It is imperative that the nation places its focus on Civil Rights during reconstruction. Our goal is not to restore the United States to its prewar status (dangling by a thread) but to build up a greater country, one with more extensive and widespread freedom. We must look back to the ideals that this nation was founded upon, morals highlighted in the Declaration of Independence: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for ALL men. We must seek to fulfill the ideal that all men are created equal.
Prepare a response to an "opposition" group. In your response you will need to point out the flaws and weaknesses and/or the strengths of their plan. The day after we present, be sure to upload your response at the bottom of their page. You will also need to be ready to challenge their plan in class, as their group presents.